Guitarist Who Can't Jam

[rappa29]

I wouldn't worry about it. If he shows up on time, nails his parts in rehearsal and on the gig and doesn't have any serious attitude issues, then he's a keeper.

Personally, I haven't been in a band situation (cover or original) where jams haven't broken out and 1 or 2 members sit it out (including myself), then everyone gets back to 'work'. Then again, I've only been in bands that were created from the ground up with friends. I've never been 'hired' to play keys or bass in a band.

Jamming is good for the soul, plus many great ideas for original songs are built from jams. And also, different ideas to cover tunes come from jams.

[joebingo]

Originally Posted by junglegirl

He's been in the band for two months now and some strange things have been happening. While we practice, we will occasionally start playing a random song...usually something one of us heard on the radio. Every band I've ever been in does this at practices. If he doesn't know the song, he will just stand there and glare at us...sometimes with his arms folded. Our rhythm guitarist will try to yell the chords to him, but he still just stands there. We all find it odd. I mean, we don't do this at gigs, but practice is just that. Besides, this is how we used to occassionally come up with new songs to play out. Is his behavior acceptable or should we be concerned?

I don't always feel comfortable when I'm in a situation where everybody else in my band is jamming a song, with a lot of chord changes, which they know well and I don't know at all.

It's not his fault that he feels uncomfortable. He's the new guy. Bring him into the loop and ask him about songs or sequences that he would like to jam, rather than just going off on a random tangent unanounced.

[skeptikal]

Originally Posted by Poor Tom

Well partially yes, and partially no. You hired him in a manor that might not have suggested you normally play that way. My band jams randomly a lot and to be honest sometimes I stand there with a confused look on my face with not a clue what to play.

Lol I do that sometimes as well. Or I'll watch the guitarist for a little to see what chords he is playing if they don't tell me. I'm getting better at listening. Usually if I hit one wrong note I can figure out where it is on the next note.

Don't worry about the guitarist. He's not a bassist so he's not required to jam haha.

[fishtx]

If you are on a time crunch, have specific material you are supposed to be working on, and need to use the time productively, then I say yes, his attitude is acceptable. maybe he just wants to get down to business and not spend your rehearsal time noodling around.

However, if there is no time crunch...and you are just rehearsing/jamming for fun with no specific agenda...then he needs to loosen up...

my 2 cents...

[AxtoOx]

Originally Posted by RustyAxe

When I'm "hired" it's to do a job. Maybe that's his attitude, too. Working on one's setlist is fine, but if time and travel is involved, noodling around is a waste of time and money that could be better spent elsewhere. A professional musician acts like one.

When things get unfocused in rehearsal, that's my signal to have a smoke, or a beer ... y'know, something worthwhile.

On the other hand, noodling around and jamming is where we get ideas for original material. We write well together. Most of the time it's just jamming, but it doesn't hurt us a bit.

[txbasschik]

I actually got a place in a band once because their guy would not play anything he hadn't done individual and rehearsal practice on. The bands I like best will have particular songs we are working on, and then throw in random stuff just to jam on, to try new things and see if they are a good fit. It is best to relax and at least *try* to keep up...you become a better player that way, and show flexibility and a willingness to expand your horizons. I would not be very comfortable playing with someone who has to practice everything first before they will even just try something out at practice.

My current band, and another one I really loved, wrote this way, too. Throw in a riff, drag out some lyrics, and go to it. Our best tunes are done that way. If we couldn't jam, we'd never be able to do this.

Talk to him about it. See what his feelings are, and work from there, up front all the way.

Cherie

[NWB]

Considering where this post is situated, I'd say fill his guitar case with some raspberry jam. Maybe he'll get the hint..

[Lemoore-on]

I want to know my GP can think on his feet. Jamming gives us confidence in each other. Things dont always work out the way they should "Live" If he cant improv what will he do on stage when things dont go right?

[NWB]

Originally Posted by Lemoore-on

I want to know my GP can think on his feet. Jamming gives us confidence in each other. Things dont always work out the way they should "Live" If he cant improv what will he do on stage when things dont go right?

That's a great point!

[Matt Till]

How is playing songs on the radio "jamming?" I think of jamming as improvising.

[txbasschik]

Originally Posted by Matt Till

How is playing songs on the radio "jamming?" I think of jamming as improvising.

When I think of "jamming", my definition for it is broader than that. It *is* making stuff up as you go...that is one aspect of it, and is great fun, and is wonderful when you are trying to write originals as a group.

However, there is another aspect to jamming, and it is one that many people include and recognize.

Stepping out to try something you've never played before, as a group, is also jamming.

{{{shrug...}}}

Cherie

[pinkzepphish]

my guitarist does that, but the funny thing is were a jam band, we improv all the time. maybe he just aint that good to pick up on a key?...